Tie-plate, spike retainer, and rail brace



Nov. 30 1926.

N. H. TUNKS TIE PLATE, SPIKE R ETAINER, AND RAIL BRACE Filed March 17, 1926 a 0 a N M m 1 1 a 0 w, m5

W3 J n Patented Nov. so, 1926.

TED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NELSON H. TUNES, OF LIMA, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO RAY 1-. SCOTT, OF MARSHALLTO'WN, IOWA.

TIE-PLATE, SPIKE RETAINER, AND RAIL BRACE.

Application filed March 17, 1926.

The object of my invention is to provide a tie plate, spike retainer, and rail brace of very simple, durable and inexpensive construction.

a More particularly, it is my purpose to provide a tie plate, spike retainer and rail brace oi the kind mentioned, which will serve the function of an eitlcient tie plate and will serve as a retainer to prevent the 19 withdrawal of the spike, and will likewise serve as a rail brace.

A further purpose is to provide a device, which can be held in place by the spike or spikes and will serve as a rail brace and as a means for preventing the spike from being pulled out of the tie.

A further purpose is to provide such a device which will permit the convenient driving ot' the spikes and which has a memher or members adapted after the spike has been driven to be moved to position for serving as a spike retainer and rail brace. /Vith these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, ar-

25 rangement and combination of the various parts of my tie plate, spike retainer and rail brace, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set :torth, pointed out in my claims,

and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tie plate, spike retainer and rail brace embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a top or plan view of the same, parts being shown in section and parts being broken away.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of a spike retainer installed in place; and

.l igure 41 is a detail, sectional view taken on the line l l of Figure 3.

in the accompanying drawings, I have used the reference numeral to indicate generally the tie upon which rests the ordinary railroad rail 11 having the tread 12, the shank 13, and the base 14:.

My improved tie plate, spike retainer and rail brace includes a flat metal plate 15, havin preferably four spike holes 16, properly located and spaced.

Formed preferably integral with one side edge of the plate 15 is an extension plate 17 bent upwardly and forwardly to overlie a Serial No. 95.254.

portion of the plate 15 in parallel relation ad acent thereto, as shown in Figures 1 and 4:.

The extension plate or member 1? stands far enough above the plate 15 to permit the base 1 1- of the rail to have one edge received between the plate 15 and extension 17, as shown in Figure 4.

The extension 17 has holes 18 arranged to register with the holes 16 at one side of the plate 15.

The parts are of such size and dimensions that when the device is installed, the edge of the rail base 14 will stand adjacent to the holes 16 and 18, but will not cover them it At the inner edge of the extension 17, there is provided an upwardly projecting flange 19, which is designed when the device is installed to rest against the shank 13 of the rail with its upper edge just under the projecting tread 12, as illustrated in Figure l.

Midway of the lower portion of the flange 19 and the inner part of the extension 17, the metal is pressed upwardly and laterally to form a downwardly and inwardly opening channel 20. The channel 20 terms a reinforcing portion for the flange 19. At the ends of the flange 19 are projecting tongues 21, the upper edges of which are beveled as at 22. These tongues are substantially triangular in outline, as shown.

When the article is manufactured, the tongues 21 are arranged inclined laterally and outwardly from the flange 19, as illustrated by the dotted lines in Figure 2.

In the practical use of my improved tie plate, spike retainer and rail brace, the plate is shoved under the rail in the position shown in Figure 4. j

The spikes are then driven through the holes 16 on one side of the tie plate and through the holes 18 and 16 on the other side, the spikes being indicated by the reference numeral 23.

After the spikes are driven, the workman gives to each tongue 21 a blow sutiicient to bend it along the line of its connection with the flange 19 for moving itfrom its dotted line position shown in Figure 2 to its full line position shown in all of the other figures.

The part of the under portion of each tongue 21 is cut away as at 2& to allow it to snugly clear the head of the spike 23.

Then the installation of the device is completed, it will be seen that the outer ends of the tongues 21 rest above the spikes 23 on the outer side of the rail.

The function and value of tie plates are well known.

Vith a device of this kind, it will be seen that I have provided a rail brace, consisting of the flange 19 and of the tongues 21. The flange 19 helps to prevent sliding of the rail and also prevents tilting of the rail toward the outside.

The tongues 21 resting above the spikes 23 on the outside of the rail likewise serve to brace the rail and prevent spreading and tilting.

Furthermore, the tongues 21 standing above their respective spikes serve to prevent the spikes from being pulled out.

It is well known that constant inspection is required on railroads on account of the fact that the rails partially pull the spikes from the ties. The spikes must be repeatedly driven back to place. After the spike has been partially pulled once, it is easier to pull it out again.

My device prevents the pulling of the spikes the first time, and where it is used, the dilliculty arising from the pulling of the spikes is largely eliminate It will be seen that the member 17, the flange 19, and the tongues 21 could be used without the tie plate portion 15.

Changes may be made in the details of the construction of my improved device Without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by the claims of the patent to be issued upon my application any modified.

forms of structure or use of mechanical eouivalents therein, which may be reason ably included within the scope of such claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device o1 the class described, a tie plate having spike holes therein, an extension inember connected at one side edge of the tie plate and-extending upwardly and inwardly from the said side edge and adapted to rest above the portion of the base of a rail supported on the tie plate, an upwardly extending flange at the inner edge of said extension, having at its end a projecting tongue, said extension being provided with holes registering with corresponding holes in the plate, said tongue being adap ed to b bent o p sition overlying a spike received in the holes in the extension. 2. In a device of the class described, a member adapted to rest upon a portion of a rail base, said member having spike holes, an upwardly projecting flange at the inner edge 01" said member adapted to rest adjacent to the shank of a rail and to extend upwardly to the underside of the rail tread, a tongue at the end of said flange adapted after a spike has been driven through a hole in the first described'inember to be bent to position above the head of the spike.

In a device of the class described, a plate having holes, an extension atone side edge or" the plate inclined upwardly and inwardly and designed to overlap a portion of a rail base, said extension being provided with holes registering'with the holes in the plate, an upwardly projecting flange at the inner edge of said extension, having at its ends projecting tongues arranged to be bent to positions standing above the spikes received in the holes in said extension.

i. In a device of the class described, a plate having holes, an extension at one side edge of the plate inclined upwardly and inwardly and designed to overlap a portion of a rail base, said extension being provided with holes registering with the holes in the plate, an upwardly projecting flange at the inner edge of said extension, having at its ends projecting tongues arranged to be bent to positions standing above the spikes received in the holes in said extension, said flange and extension being provided between 4 their ends with an upwardly and outwardly pressed channel-shaped reinforcing portion.

5. In a device of the class described a member adapted to rest on portion of a rail base, having spaced spike holes, said member having at its inner edge on upwardly projecting flange adapted to rest adjacent to the flange of a rail and to extend to position'just below the overhanging portion of the tread of the rail, said flange having at its ends projecting tongues adapted to be bent to position standing above the heads oi. the spikes received in the holes in said member.

NELSQN H. TUNES, 

